Recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) data from USCIS has confirmed our previous predictions regarding the trajectory of reserved EB-5 visas, specifically concerning Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).
As the pipeline of I-526E petitions grows, a high unemployment TEA retrogression is looming. The demand for these visas is expected to outpace the supply, creating a backlog that could affect processing times for new and existing investors.
Rural Set-Asides Remain Strong
On a more positive note, the data indicates that Rural TEA set-asides remain highly advantageous. The visa supply for these categories continues to be greater than the demand generated between April 2022 and October 2023. This confirms that rural projects remain one of the fastest routes for investors seeking to avoid the impending retrogression.
What This Means for Investors
For prospective EB-5 investors, time is of the essence. Selecting the right project in a rural TEA can provide a significant advantage in processing speed and visa availability. At AG17 LLC, we continuously monitor USCIS data to guide our clients toward the most strategic investment decisions.